God in Every Minute

This day is the Lord’s, I will wait on Him and submit to Him. He speaks to His sheep and calls them by name. I saw a made-up word that got me thinking, “Churchless”. The Barnagroup has done some research and written a book entitled “Bowling Alone” which points out that only 23% of Churchless people have never attended church, a lot of Believers are among the Churchless. Barnagroup may be selling stuff to preachers/churches, who want to fill their pews and/or reach the Churchless. It should be no revelation that “church” has lost much of its appeal in recent years due to many factors. In response to this we see coffee in the lobby, entertainment as worship, high tech light shows in a setting of dark, smoke, laser lights, big screens and big/loud speakers. Moreover, every idea imaginable to draw in “seekers” or the lost or unchurched are pitched from themes of a  “cowboy church” to hipster church to a non-church church. Even big denominations are attempting to blend in by, for example, removing “Baptist” from their church name or instituting separate “Contemporary” worship services. The apex of insanity (perhaps heresy) was asking an atheist/agnostic to evaluate church in “Jim and Casper go to Church”. This is evidence of  what’s wrong with modern  church, but criticizing the church is shooting fish in a barrel and counterproductive. Even analyzing “Churchlessness” in order to solve it may be contrary to faith and the leading of the Spirit. 

The Congregation of Believers comprises all who believe and follow Yeshua Messiah. It is His body on earth and it is the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:19-21) It is important to distinguish the modern church which includes organizations/Groups that have no faith in Father God, Yeshua His Son and the indwelling Holy Spirit from those who truly believe whether they are in “regular” fellowship or not. The world of Man, put’s it’s faith and hope in men and women who are following many things other than the Lord Yeshua. Consider the words of Yeshua regarding the seven churches, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches….” (Revelation 2:7,11,17, 29; 3:6,13, 22) 

Scripture says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) Gathering is not a law in itself, but for encouragement and strengthening. United prayer, worship and communion through the exercise of the Spirit’s leading should be central to gatherings; where it is no more than a social event or club devoid of the Spirit, we will still long for fellowship.